I haven't traveled a Delta codeshare, but "real" Air France has always weighed my carryon, in the US and in Europe. People frantically repacking from their carryon into their checked bag is a common sight at Boston Logan.

I wonder if that is a bit of a Logan thing, as Northwest was always pretty aggressive there too, but that was one of the airports where they do seem to aggressively check carry-ons.

By contrast, they haven't seemed to care very much at Zurich, Copenhagen, or London, all of which I have recently flown from on Air France.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I thought I would be fine on Delta, but I thought Air France might be a bit problematic. If I have to check on A.F., it will be O.K.
Mad.Fifi, that is a great idea, new luggage, greater memory.

Weight won't be an issue for me, I don't think. I just don't want to waste my weight limit on luggage if I can go lighter. I was think, small handbag in small tote. Oh, well, as Miss Scarlett says, "I'll think about it tomorrow."

thanks once more, Brownley

it looks like costco is having a sale on heys...
http://tiny.cc/k7LS8

I find most European airlines check weight of carry-on .
I have never been asked to put it in a sizer ( perhaps because it is a soft shoulder bag with no wheels).

carry on, no wheels, 3 pounds 10 oz. New for us, it is waiting to be packed but bigger than I expected.

http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender...?modelid=15026

A useful guide to British/European travel with hand baggage.
http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/news/...-security.html

<i>I find most European airlines check weight of carry-on .</i>

It varies a bit by airline. Virgin Atlantic is notorious for rigidly enforcing weight limits. Ryanair, of course, is in a league of its own, by all accounts. And I have found SAS to be sticklers, at least if you catch the wrong agent at check-in. KLM and Air France seem to focus on the number of carry-ons and I've had them check that, but I've never had them weigh my bags.

BA, on the other hand, doesn't care, as long as you can lift it. Same for Easyjet, I think. Swiss has the rule on their books, but I've never been asked to weigh my bag. Lufthansa also seems to be a bit of "don't ask don't tell".

Hey Brownley,
Sorry if this help is a little late.
I would recommend Heys luggage. I have used it before and I had no problem with it. You said you wanted smaller size cases? I know they have lots of lightweight stuff, and good small stuff. Heys luggage is available here:

http://www.irvsluggage.com/Heys-USA-Luggage

and it is on great sales. They've got Eagle Creek baggage there too. There are a few other brands if you have preferences on brands. Hope I helped, and sorry if this is too late and you have already left!

I recently traveled with three friends to Italy for two weeks. Each of us carried a Heys 20" 4WD. We did carry-on for the trip to Italy and checked the bags traveling home. While traveling around Italy we opened the expansions. They all survived the ride home and we were traveling on different airlines: United, Air France, and American. One lady flew to Italy on Delta and commented that the storage bin was very small, but with help she was able to fit her bag in.

I was surprised how much this bag could hold. I moved up from an 18" Heys bag and the two additional inches gave me a lot of extra room. Overall, I recommend this bag.

I bought mine on eBay, but the other three ladies purchased through an online luggage store for $69 each including shipping. Only two colors to choose from here. http://www.peninsulaluggageonline.co...on.php?cID=155

You can see a photo of us with our luggage at http://gallery.me.com/twdcards#100151&view=mosaic&sel=0

Reviving this- it's the new year and all, time for resolutions and boxing week sales.

Tuscan's posts got me interested in the Heys Flylite hybrid:

http://shop.heys.ca/ProductDetails.a...ctCode=FlyLite

Unfortunately they were only available as a 3-piece set. BUT (drumroll) it's now possible to buy them separately from Sears (and for a pretty good price too):

http://www.sears.ca/product/heys-fly...03187591455956

So I just ordered the 8x14x20 inches (weight 4.8 lbs). I have no idea of the exact dimensions with wheels and handle included, I'll have to take measurements when it gets in.

<<I am afraid that the 22 inch won't make it as a carryon on the jump from Paris to Florence.>>

I'd worry too. It will probably depend upon the space available on the plane. When I flew AF from Paris to Atlanta in October they were taking some rolling backpacks that were smaller than 22 inches. I have a 22" that does not fit into the sizer in Paris because of the wheels. But they let me take it on board a few years ago because it was only 15 lbs and there was plenty of space on the plane. Not sure that is happening these days.

<<So I just ordered the 8x14x20 inches (weight 4.8 lbs). I have no idea of the exact dimensions with wheels and handle included, I'll have to take measurements when it gets in.>>

Let us know how it works out for you. It looks good in the pics and is ballistic nylon so should be strong. I like the hard shell on the back. I just bought an Osprey 19" about five pounds, so lightweight, but the back is the fabric so no protection if I have to check it, although my luggage often shows up upside down on the carousel.

Re Air Francre - last year my TC and I approached the check in counter and they were eyeballing luggage. They picked up my TCs bag and said it had to get weighed. They just slapped a "cabine baggage" tag on mine so it didn't have to get weighed. My is about 19", her's was a tad over 20" (but less than 21). So it's kind of a crap shoot.

Re lightweight luggage. The lightest I've found is the cheap stuff you can get in Target or wherever. I have one that is Eddie Bauer and it's held up on many trips. But while pretty light it's close to 21" so now I use a no-name 19 inch. Weighs about 5 pounds and has held up on several trips. There are some even lighter but they look like they'd fall apart.

You should check Altman's Luggage in NYC (they will ship) for GREAT prices on TravelPro.

Welcome to light-packing, Apres Londee. That looks a lot like my Lipault bag. I think you'll like the change, especially for those walk-up apartments. 8" is kind of flat though, especially when it's non-expandable.

It's not going to be easy but I'm determined to do it. I'm definitely going to have to practice pack. There should be some bulging room with the Flylite but it will be interesting to see how much.

I've been meaning to come back to this thread forever- back in January I got the Heys Flylite hybrid I mentioned earlier. I haven't used it yet, but I've measured it (unpacked- I'll be practice packing soon and will re-measure when its full)

Anyways, the website said it's 8x14x20 inches (weight 4.8 lbs)

I measured:

7 3/4 inches deep with wheels
20 inches tall including wheels and handle
14 inches wide but it will be closer to 15 inches when packed

The weight on the tag on the suitcase is 5.1 lbs or 2.3kg (not 4.8 lbs like it says on the website). I haven't weighed it but it is really light. I noticed how light it was right away because I had to carry it home in a big box on the subway.

The wheels and handle seem to be really good quality, not sticky or wobbly at all.

So it looks pretty good so far. I definitely have to practice packing though. This little piece of luggage looks so small!

Please let me know what you manage to squeeze in there, Apres. I am trying to do carry-on (first time) for a trip that will involve binoculars, camera plus lenses, back-up camera, hiking boots!, all kinds of random stuff not easy to buy where I'm going. I would love to hear what's possible/realistic in a carry-on.

And where are you headed next?

Hi Leely, sounds like you're headed back to Africa! When are you going?

My trip is a lot less exciting than that- London, Paris (1 night only, sniff), back to England and then Scotland, in late May for 2 weeks.

I won't be packing much more than some clothes and a few small personal items like make-up. Also my small digital camera, itouch, phone, and maybe my netbook although I stepped on it by accident a while ago and now the screen has a big crack but it's still usable.

I'm planning to buy toiletries like shampoo and stuff when I get there, and I will dump any leftovers before coming home.

I thought about getting and packing a lightweight foldaway duffel bag or something, but the fact is I don't have space for a bunch of souvenirs in my apartment either. So I'm planning on going carry on only both there and back.

I'm a real wimp, here I am worrying about carry-on for an easy trip to the UK when you are going carry-on on a safari!